Trailer side rail

ABSTRACT

An improved side rail structure is used to form a portion of a flat bed trailer. The side rail structure is integrally formed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side rail wall which is integrally formed as one piece with a rub rail. A flooring section may also be formed as one piece with the outer side rail wall. The one piece side rail structure may be formed of extruded metal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.Non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/649,579, filed Jan. 4, 2007,titled “Side Rail Structure,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a trailer, and more specifically, toa side rail of a flatbed trailer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a one piece, integrally formed, siderail structure for use in forming a portion of a flat bed trailer.

Loads of various types are transported by flat bed trailers. The flatbed trailers are designed to transport loads having many different sizesand configurations. In order to safely transport a load, the load mustbe secured against movement relative to the flat bed trailer.

Load securing systems have been developed to retain a load againstmovement relative to a flat bed trailer. Such load securing systems haveincluded retaining straps, and/or chains which are connected to oppositesides of the trailer. In addition, stakes or posts have previously beenutilized, either separately or in combination with retaining strapsand/or chains, to secure a load on a flat bed trailer.

Retaining straps have been provided with ratchet type assemblies whichare positioned along the length of the strap to tighten the strap ontothe load. Alternatively, a winch assembly may be anchored to one side ofthe flat bed trailer and connected to a strap to tension the strap. Overcenter buckles have also been utilized to tension straps. Known flat bedtrailers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,487 and in U.S. PublishedPatent Application No. 2002/0025237.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved side rail structure for use in a flat bed trailer integrallyformed as one piece. The side rail structure includes an outer side railwall and a rub rail which is integrally formed as one piece with theouter side rail wall. The rub rail may include an outer side wall whichextends along and is spaced from the outer side rail wall.

Upper and lower connector walls may be provided to connect the outerside wall of the rub rail to the outer side rail wall. Holes may beformed in the connector walls to facilitate connection of straps, chainsand/or stakes with the flat bed trailer. If desired, the one piece,integrally formed, side rail structure may include a floor section. Theone piece, integrally formed side rail structure may be formed ofextruded metal.

The one piece side rail structure includes features which may beutilized together as disclosed herein or may be utilized separately. Forexample, the side rail structure may advantageously include a floorsection which is integrally formed as one piece with the side rail walland with the rub rail. However, the floor section may, if desired, beformed separately from the side rail wall and the rub rail. It should beunderstood that many different prior art features may be utilized inassociation with the one piece, integrally formed, side rail structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the invention will become moreapparent upon a consideration of the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a flat bed trailer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic pictorial illustration of a one piece,integrally formed, side rail structure used in the flat bed trailer ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic fragmentary sectional view, takengenerally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating the manner in whichthe one piece, integrally formed, side rail structure is used to form aportion of the flat bed trailer;

FIG. 4 is a schematic pictorial illustration, generally similar to FIG.2 but on a reduced scale, illustrating the manner in which a strap forsecuring a load is used with the side rail structure; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic pictorial illustration, similar to FIG. 2 but on areduced scale, illustrating the manner in which a post or stake is usedwith the side rail structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A flat bed trailer 10 (FIG. 1) has a generally known construction and isutilized to carry many different types of loads. A rear portion (notshown) of the flat bed trailer is supported in a known manner by wheelswhich are connected with either a single axle or tandem axles. Aretractable double leg support 12 is provided at a front end portion ofa flat bed trailer 10 to support the front end portion of the flat bedtrailer when the trailer is parked. The general construction of the flatbed trailer 10 is similar to the construction disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,226,465 and 6,527,487.

In accordance with one of the features of the present invention, alongitudinally extending side rail structure 20 (FIG. 2) is utilized inthe construction of the flat bed trailer 10. The side rail structure 20is integrally formed as one piece of metal (aluminum). Although the siderail structure 20 may be formed in many different ways, the side railstructure 20 may advantageously be extruded as a single piece of metal.

The side rail structure 20 includes a floor section 22. The floorsection 22 partially forms an upper side surface 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2) ofthe flat bed trailer 10. During use of the trailer 10, a load ispositioned on the upper side surface 24 of the flat bed trailer.

An outer side rail wall 28 (FIG. 2) extends downward from the floorsection 22. The outer side rail wall 28 extends along the entire lengthof the flat bed trailer 10. The floor section 22 is coextensive with theouter side rail wall 28. The outer side rail wall 28 extendsperpendicular to the floor section 22.

A rub rail 30 projects outward from the outer side rail wall 28 and iscoextensive with the outer side rail wall. The rub rail 30 protects theouter side rail wall 28 from engagement with objects in the environmentaround the flat bed trailer 10. The floor section 22, outer side railwall 28 and rub rail 30 are integrally formed as one piece. The specificside rail structure 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 was extruded as a singlepiece of metal.

The rail rub 30 includes an outer rub rail wall 34 which extends alongthe outer side rail wall 28. The outer rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail30 extends parallel to the outer side rail wall 28. However, the outerrub rail wall 34 of the rub rail 30 may be skewed relative to the outerside rail wall 28. Although the outer rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail30 has a generally flat outer side surface 38, the outer rub rail wall34 may be formed with a different configuration if desired. For example,the outer rub rail wall 34 may have an arcuate side surface which bulgesoutwardly in a direction away from the outer side rail wall 28.

The outer rub rail wall 34 (FIG. 2) of the rub rail 30 is connected tothe outer side rail wall 28 by an upper connector wall 42 and a lowerconnector wall 44. The upper and lower connector walls 42 and 44 extendparallel to each other and perpendicular to the outer side rail wall 28and perpendicular to the outer rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail 30. Thisresults in a generally rectangular channel or passage 48 being formed bythe rub rail 30 and outer side rail wall 28. However, the upper and thelower connector walls 42 and 44 may be skewed relative to each otherand/or to the outer side rail wall 28 so that the channel 48 has aconfiguration other than the illustrated rectangular configuration.

An upper series 52 of openings is formed in the upper connector wall 42.Similarly, a lower series 54 of openings is formed in the lowerconnector wall 44. The openings in the upper series 52 of openings arealigned with correspondingly configured openings in the lower series 54of the openings. The upper series 52 of openings include a plurality ofspaced apart relatively small rectangular openings 58 and a plurality ofrelatively large generally rectangular openings 60 having end surfaces62. If desired, the end surfaces 62 may have an arcuate configuration.

The lower series 54 of openings includes a plurality of relatively smallrectangular openings which are aligned with and have the same size andconfiguration as the openings 58 in the upper series 52 of openings. Thelower series 54 of openings also includes a plurality of relativelylarge openings which are aligned with and have the same size andconfiguration as the openings 60 in the upper series 52 of openings. Theopenings 58 and 60 are cut in the connector walls 42 and 44 afterformation (extrusion) of the side rail structure 20.

Although the openings 58 and 60 have been illustrated as having the samerectangular configuration, the openings 58 and 60 may have differentconfigurations if desired. For example, the openings 58 and/or 60 mayhave a circular configuration. Alternatively, the openings 58 and/or 60may have a triangular configuration.

The floor section 22 (FIG. 2) has a generally flat upper side surface 24with upwardly extending ribs 66. The ribs 66 extend parallel to alongitudinal central axis of the side rail structure 20 and to the outerside rail wall 28. The ribs 66 provide projections which retard slidingof the load in a direction transverse to the longitudinal central axesof the ribs.

The flat upper side surface 24 of the floor section 22 is disposed in aplane which extends across and is tangential to an arcuate upper sidesurface 68 on the outer rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail 30. The upperconnector wall 42 is disposed below the plane of the upper side surface24 of the floor section 22 and below the upper side surface 68 on theouter rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail 30. A corner 72 formed at theintersection of the floor section 22 and outer side rail 28 is disposedabove and extends parallel to the upper connector wall 42 of the rubrail 30. The corner 72 extends parallel to the ribs 66 and the upperside surface 68 of the outer rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail 30.

Mounting webs 74, 76, and 78 extend downward from the floor section 22and extend parallel to the outer side rail wall 28. Flanges 80, 82, and84 are formed on the lower (as viewed in FIG. 2) end portions of thewebs 74, 76, and 78. The flanges 80, 82, and 84 extend throughout thelength of the side rail structure 20 and extend parallel to the floorsection 22.

In addition, a mounting rib 88 extends inwardly, that is toward the leftas viewed in FIG. 2, from the outer side rail wall 28. The mounting rib88 has a lower side surface which is disposed in a coplanar relationshipwith lower side surfaces of the flanges 80, 82 and 84 on the mountingwebs 74, 76, and 78. In addition, a mounting rib 92 extends inward, thatis toward the left as viewed in FIG. 2, from the inner side of the outerside rail wall 28. The mounting rib 92 extends parallel to the mountingrib 88 and the flanges 80, 82 and 84 on the mounting webs, 74, 76 and78.

In addition to the side rail structure 20, the flat bed trailer 10includes a plurality of longitudinally extending I-beams 100 (FIG. 3).Although only one I-beam 100 is shown in FIG. 3, it should be understoodthat the flat bed trailer 10 includes a plurality of parallel I-beams. Atransversely extending tubular frame member 104 extends perpendicular tothe I-beams 100 and extends through openings formed in the I-beams.Although only one frame member 104 is shown in FIG. 3, it should beunderstood that the flat bed trailer 10 includes a plurality of parallelframe members which extends perpendicular to the I-beams 100. Welds 106connect webs 108 of the I-beams 100 to frame members 104.

Longitudinally extending hollow floor sections 110 are positionedlongitudinally of the flat bed trailer 10 in abutting parallelrelationship with flanges 112 on the upper end portions of the I-beams100. The floor sections 110 cooperate with the flanges 112 on theI-beams 100 to form the floor or deck of the flat bed trailer 10. Thefloor sections 110 are each welded to the frame member 104. The mannerin which the floor sections 110 cooperate with the frame members 104 andI-beams 100 is the same as is disclosed in the aforementioned U.S.Patent Publication No. 2002/0025237.

As initially extruded, the side rail structure 20 has a length which isgreater than the desired length of the flat bed trailer 10. The initialextrusion is cut to form the side rail structure 20 with a length whichis the same as the desired length of the flat bed trailer 10. Theopenings 58 and 60 (FIG. 2) are then formed in the rub rail 30. Theopenings may be cut into the upper and lower connector walls 42 and 44with a router. Of course, the openings 58 and 60 may be formed in adifferent manner if desired.

The side rail structure 20 is connected to the frame member 104 (FIG. 3)at welds between the mounting flanges 80, 82 and 84 (FIG. 2) on themounting webs 74, 76, and 78 and the frame member. In addition, the siderail structure 20 is connected to the frame member 104 at a weld betweenthe mounting ribs 88 and 92 (FIG. 2) and the frame member 104 (FIG. 3).The side rail structure 20 extends for the entire length of the flat bedtrailer 10 and is welded to each of the frame members 104 which aredisposed in the flat bed trailer. Although only a single side railstructure 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, there is a second side railstructure 20 disposed along the opposite longitudinally extending sideof the flat bed trailer 10. The two identical, parallel side railstructures 20 are welded to the frame members 104 in the same manner asdescribed in conjunction with the side rail structure 20 of FIG. 3.

It is contemplated that a plurality of straps or belts 120 (FIG. 4) maybe used to secure a load to the flat bed trailer 10. The straps 120 mayextend through openings 58 and/or 60 in the upper and lower connectorwalls 42 and 44 of the rub rail 30 and have hooks which engage the outerrub rail wall 34 and/or the lower connector wall 44 of the rub rail.Alternatively, the straps may be secured to the flat bed trailerutilizing winches which are mounted on an I-beam 100 disposed adjacentto the side rail structure 20. Of course, rather than utilizing strapsto secure the load to the flat bed trailer 10, a chain having hooks maybe utilized.

In place of or in addition to straps or chains to secure the load, posts130 (FIG. 5) may be inserted through aligned of openings in the upperand lower connector walls 42 and 44 of the side rail structure 20. Theposts 130 (FIG. 5) may extend through the relatively small rectangularopening 58 (FIG. 2) in the upper connector wall 42 of the rub rail 30and through the aligned relatively small opening in the lower connectorwall 44. It is contemplated that a combination of straps and/or chainsand posts may be utilized to secure a load on a flat bed trailer 10.

In view of the foregoing description, it is apparent that the presentinvention provides a side rail structure 20 for use in a flat bedtrailer 10. The side rail structure 20 is integrally formed as onepiece. The side rail structure 20 includes an outer side rail wall 28and a rub rail 30 which is integrally formed as one piece with the outerside rail wall. The rub rail 30 may include an outer rub rail wall 34which extends along and is spaced from the outer side rail wall 28.

Upper and lower connector walls 42 and 44 may be provided to connect theouter rub rail wall 34 of the rub rail 30 to the outer side rail wall28. Holes 58 and/or 60 may be formed in the connector walls 42 and 44 tofacilitate connection of straps 120, chains and/or stakes 130 with theflat bed trailer 10. If desired, the one piece, integrally formed, siderail structures 20 may include a floor section 22. The one piece,integrally formed side rail structure 20 may be formed of extrudedmetal.

The one piece side rail structure 20 includes features which may beutilized together as disclosed herein or may be utilized separately. Forexample, the side rail structure 20 may advantageously include a floorsection 22 which is integrally formed as one piece with the outer siderail wall 28 and with the rub rail 30. However, the floor section 22may, if desired, be formed separately from the outer side rail wall 28and the rub rail 30. It should be understood that many different priorart features may be utilized in association with the one piece,integrally formed, side rail structure 20.

1. A side rail structure for use in forming a portion of a flat bedtrailer, said structure comprising: a floor section, an outer side railwall integrally formed as one piece with the floor section and rigidlyaffixed to an outer edge of the floor section trailer, and a tubular rubrail which is integrally formed as one piece with said outer side railwall, wherein the rub rail is comprised of a seamless tube with asubstantially rectangular cross section comprising a substantiallyhorizontal upper connector wall, a substantially vertical outer sidewall, and a substantially horizontal lower connector wall, wherein theupper connector wall and the lower connector wall are coextensive withand substantially perpendicular to an outer rub rail wall.
 2. The siderail structure of claim 1, wherein the upper connector wall is disposedbelow a plane of an upper side surface of the floor section, forming acorner at the intersection of the floor section and the outer side railwall.
 3. The side rail structure of claim 1, wherein the rub railfurther comprises an upper series of openings formed in the upperconnector wall.
 4. The side rail structure of claim 3, wherein the rubrail further comprises a lower series of openings formed in the lowerconnector wall.
 5. The side rail structure of claim 4, wherein the upperseries of openings comprises a plurality of substantially rectangularopenings and the lower series of openings comprises a plurality ofsubstantially rectangular openings aligned with the upper series ofopenings.
 6. The side rail structure of claim 5, further comprising asecurement strap which passes through at least one opening of the upperseries of openings and at least one opening of the lower series ofopenings to secure a load.
 7. The side rail structure of claim 5,wherein the pluralities of substantially rectangular openings havearcuate ends.
 8. The side rail structure of claim 5, further comprisingat least one securement stake received by at least one of the openingsin the upper series of openings.
 9. The side rail structure of claim 2,further comprising at least one mounting flange protruding downwardlyfrom a lower surface of the floor section for contacting with a framemember of the trailer.
 10. The side rail structure of claim 1, whereinthe tubular side rail is affixed to a frame member of the trailer with aplurality of fasteners.